A new nationwide poll showing 66 percent of New Zealanders support greater public ownership of essential services and infrastructure has prompted maritime and rail unions to call for stronger protections against the sale of strategic ports and transport assets.
The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) and Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) are urging central and local government to protect public ownership and control of the country’s ports, rail corridors and wider freight network.
Their calls follow a Talbot Mills Research survey commissioned by New Zealanders for a Democratic Economy, which found substantial public support for government ownership of essential infrastructure.
The online survey of 1,010 New Zealand adults, conducted between September 17 and 29, found 66 percent supported the Government owning more essential services and infrastructure, including electricity companies, ports and public transport.
Twenty-one percent opposed greater public ownership, while 13 percent were undecided.
According to the unions, majority support was recorded among voters across all political parties, including supporters of the governing coalition.
Ports Are Economic Lifelines
MUNZ National Secretary Carl Findlay says ports are critical national assets that underpin trade, employment and regional economic development.
The union argues that decisions about port ownership and investment should prioritise the long-term interests of communities, workers, exporters and importers rather than short-term financial returns.
Ports are essential to Aotearoa’s supply chains, connecting businesses with international markets while supporting thousands of jobs across freight, logistics, shipping and associated industries.
The unions warn that selling strategic infrastructure could reduce public accountability and potentially expose businesses and consumers to higher costs.
Their concerns extend beyond individual ports to the wider transport system, including rail and coastal shipping.
Parliament Committee Supports Public Ownership
The unions are pointing to a report from Parliament’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee, presented on September 23, which recommended by majority that the Government support continued full or majority public ownership of strategic port assets.
The recommendation provides further support for the unions’ position that ports should remain under public control.
RMTU National President Aubrey Wilkinson says ports and rail corridors must be considered as interconnected components of a national freight and logistics network.
The union argues that decisions about ownership and investment should consider the resilience, efficiency and long-term sustainability of the entire supply chain.
It is calling on political parties and local councils to commit to protecting strategic public assets and ensuring public accountability remains central to future investment decisions.
Poll Shows Opposition to Selling Public Assets
The survey also found significant opposition to selling existing government assets.
Some 59 percent of respondents preferred retaining government assets for their long-term income, compared with 31 percent who supported selling some assets to reduce government debt.
Opposition extended to the Interislander ferries, with 56 percent against their sale and 35 percent in favour.
Among respondents supporting greater public ownership, the most commonly identified reasons included fairer prices, greater public control and prioritising services over profits.
The poll also found that 44 percent said a political party’s commitment to ruling out asset sales would make them more likely to give that party their party vote, compared with 19 percent who said it would make them less likely. <Cite refs={[“turn464303search0″,”turn464303search2”]}/>
Australian Experience Raises Questions
The unions are highlighting developments in Australia, where the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has reported record stevedoring prices and substantial increases in terminal access charges.
The regulator has raised concerns about the limited ability of transport operators, importers and exporters to avoid or negotiate certain charges.
MUNZ and RMTU argue that the Australian experience demonstrates the importance of maintaining public accountability over strategic port infrastructure.
However, the wider debate also involves questions about how ports can attract the investment required for modernisation, improved productivity and environmental sustainability.
Supporters of private-sector participation argue it can provide access to additional capital and commercial expertise, while opponents warn that private ownership can create risks where operators control infrastructure with limited competition.
Māori Economy Has a Stake in Port Ownership
The debate also has implications for Māori businesses and iwi commercial enterprises.
Māori participation in forestry, fisheries, agriculture, horticulture and food production depends on reliable transport infrastructure and competitive access to domestic and international markets.
Higher freight costs, port charges or disruptions to supply chains can affect the profitability of businesses and the cost of goods reaching communities.
For mana whenua, port governance also raises questions about environmental protection, coastal development and participation in decisions affecting traditional rohe.
Public ownership does not automatically guarantee Māori representation in governance, but the debate provides an opportunity to consider how iwi and hapū interests are recognised in strategic infrastructure planning.
Election 2026: Unions Back Keep Our Assets Pledge
With the November 7 general election approaching, MUNZ and RMTU are supporting the National Keep Our Assets Pledge promoted by New Zealanders for a Democratic Economy and Keep Our Assets.
The pledge calls on political parties to retain public ownership and control of existing government assets and rule out coalition agreements that would allow asset sales during the next parliamentary term.
The unions are also urging local councils to protect strategic port assets under their control.
The poll was commissioned by an organisation advocating public ownership, and its findings reflect responses to the specific questions asked rather than establishing public support for every individual ownership proposal.
Nevertheless, the results place the future of public infrastructure firmly within the election debate.
Who Should Control Aotearoa’s Economic Lifelines?
Ports, railways, coastal shipping and ferry services form an interconnected transport network that supports jobs, exports and the movement of essential goods.
Decisions about their ownership involve balancing public accountability, investment requirements, economic efficiency and long-term national interests.
For Māori businesses, workers and regional communities, those decisions can have consequences extending well beyond the waterfront.
As political parties prepare for the election, the unions are demanding a clear commitment to protecting strategic port assets, while the latest polling suggests public ownership remains an important issue for voters across the political spectrum.
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #PublicOwnership #KeepOurAssets #MaritimeUnion #MUNZ #RMTU #NewZealandPorts #PortOwnership #AssetSales #StrategicInfrastructure #Interislander #CoastalShipping #RailFreight #SupplyChains #MāoriEconomy #MāoriBusiness #ManaWhenua #EconomicDevelopment #Election2026 #NZPolitics #Aotearoa
